The Ultimate Time Machine
Written: Jan 21 '08 (Updated Dec 06 '08)
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Pros: Nostalgia! Updated technology, without a loss of heritage - heads will turn
Cons: Short time seat, light suspension, wind buffeting
The Bottom Line: The ultimate nostalgia motorcycle, for once the remake is better than the original.
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Finding a good 2002 Triumph Bonneville will give you the ultimate motorcycle time machine. Updated for today’s reliability, you get all of the good with little of the bad.
Nostalgia
Thirty-five years ago I had just gotten out of the Army and played bass in a rock / show band. I did not need reading glasses; I did not have a mortgage; a loving wife, grown kids, or responsibilities. But I did take my first ride on a brand new 1972 Triumph Bonneville. Ah, life can be good.
The memories of throwing a leg over that narrow bench seat and kicking through 650 cc’s of British vertical twin motorcycle will forever haunt me. This was the feeling of freedom I had yearned for those two long years in combat boots. Gripping the flat handlebars, I could almost smell the adrenaline as the tachometer steadied down to a vertical twin lope. Gazing down at that beautiful sculptured tank brought a warm feeling to my gut you could not get from the utilitarian kegs attached to other bikes. All the dreams I had while riding by bicycle in junior high came back as I lightly flicked the red Bonnie through every curve I could find. Blue River Road became the Isle of Man. Brakes, yeah there were some, but the feeling of flying controlled my right wrist. Stopping did not have near the priority that going did. Life can be very good!
Alas, returning the Pegasus to the local dealer brought reality back. I also needed a car to carry “stuff” in, rent money, bellbottoms to replace the fatigues I had worn in that other life, and strings for the guitar. After a review of my fiscal situation, a 350 Suzuki was all there was in the cards for me. But those memories still lingered.
The Early New Years
A few years ago I rode one of the “new” Triumphs and thought it was the tool to bury those memories. OK, it was fun for a while, but my old fantasy had matured into a different person. The excitement of the name remained without the emotion. I still enjoyed Eric Clapton, but ol’ Slow-hand is not the same without Jack Bruce.
My Soul Returns
Then one day last summer I happened to stop by a local Yamaha / Triumph dealer and saw the manager leaning against a time machine. Right there on the showroom floor was that selfsame Triumph Bonneville that had stolen my heart over 35 years ago. No, maybe it is not a ghost, this one was green. Still, the attraction was there. The fire in my soul returned. Trying to control my emotions, I asked, “Is that the new Bonneville?” “Yeah,” he said, “we took it in on trade, it is primo, and just been serviced. Want to take it for a spin?” Temptation takes many forms. Some people gamble, some drink, others take drugs. Once again I had to face my own addiction, a beautiful motorcycle.
As I approached it, I could not get over the feeling that this was really a time machine that beat Mr. Peabody’s “Way Back Machine.” I wondered if you could ever go home again. All the visual clues were there. The air cooled vertical twin engine with carburetors, classic “eyebrow badged” tank, distinctive exhaust system, and an overall lean and hungry look only a Triumph could have. The view from the pilot’s station was even better. What can you say about that beautiful hand pinstriped gas tank that does not shout attention to detail? I had been so afraid I would find that striping tape used by so many manufacturers today. Pulling on the choke, the engine sprang to life with one quick touch of the starter button. Positive engagement of first gear, a bit of throttle and a slipped clutch made it 1971 again. Cordura gave way to leather, and 50 cent 100 octane gasoline was again available at the gas pumps of my memory. That nimble Bonnie’ feel was back as I rode along the Alabama back roads.
Cha, Cha, Changes
Bigger, modern tires and disk brakes brought me back into the twenty-first century. Nothing so aggressive as to cancel that old Triumph feel, but updated enough for survival on today’s roads. A parking lot gave me a chance to bring back that rocket bicycle low speed handling. After years on over 650 pound rides, the 451 pound Bonneville had me trying maneuvers I had forgotten were even possible. How long has it been since a parking lot was fun?
Back out on the road the engine pulled strongly through its power range. There were no sputters or hesitations and a counterbalance canceled out the more objectionable vibrations and shakes to provide a most civilized ride. In the 60’s and 70’s the neighborhood experts always said a vertical twin with a 360-degree crank (both pistons rising and falling together) could not be made to run smooth. I wish those guys were here to see it now. While there was enough evidence of a vertical twin resting in the tubular steel cradle frame, it was never objectionable. The bar-mounted mirrors remained a useful feature throughout the ride.
Handling was crisp and nimble, without sacrificing comfort. I am sure a lot of that could be traced to the modern tires, wheels, suspension, and the box section swing-arm. Potential lean angles were only limited by the foot pegs, but with such quick handling I never dragged anything. This would be the bike for enjoying the Blue Ridge Parkway or Skyline Drive.
The Hidden Differences
Since this is today’s ultimate nostalgia ride, the important factors are the differences 35 years have made. Outwardly, the new Bonneville is difficult to spot next to the original. You have to look a little closer.
A prime styling priority was for the engine to look like the original, and still include the latest technology possible - not an easy task. Obviously, electronic fuel injection would not cut it, so the 36 mm pots included such updated features as throttle position sensors and electric heaters (if you have ever had a carburetor ice up you will understand how that can be important).
This combination gives a crisp throttle response and better fuel economy. The original push rods were passed over for a dual overhead cam, four valves per cylinder layout. This makes the “top” of the engine a little higher and rev up faster. If you look closely you will notice an oil line has been disguised to look like the push rod tube of earlier times. A 790 cc engine converts regular grade pump gas into more power than the original 650 or 750 of the bygone era. Proper performance must have taken precedence over maintaining historic numbers, a trade off I always accept. Oil cooling is handled with a discreet cooler mounted to the frame. Twin balancers were incorporated into the bottom end to smooth out vibrations, but not so much as to lose the feel of a traditional 360-degree vertical twin. The balancer resides in otherwise unused space and helps keep a lower center of gravity. The completed package puts out 61 bhp at 7,400 rpm and 44 pounds feet of torque at a low 3,500 rpm. That might not seem competitive in today’s market, but do remember that it only weighs 451 pounds. If you are going to compare numbers you have got to use them all. Using my seat of the leather pants dyno, the new kid felt stronger than my memories of that first Bonnie’ ride.
Operator controls are now not too different from those found on most other bikes, and I did like the button for canceling the turn signals. Speaking of buttons, it just did not seem right not having a kick-starter! I know more than likely I would never use it, but it was a mark of those old times. If you have to rely on an electric starter, Triumph’s digital, inductive electronic ignition should dispel concerns over the original’s reputation in the spark department. The Prince of Darkness no longer follows the Triumph. Progress like that will always be welcome. As I rode along I realized that something else was missing, the tachometer. I know some riders never use one, but it is something that let’s you know the 60’s and 70’s are over.
Gear shifting the 2002 had an easy, positive feel. There were none of the old false neutrals one grew to expect during the Nixon era. The correct ratios were available whenever needed, so suburban traffic or freeway travel never required the engine to work in regions it was not designed to be.
Those who remember changing tires with two screwdrivers will quickly notice the updated tires. 100/90 19 front and 130/80 17 on the rear puts a lot more tread on the road. Gone are the days of the skinny ribs and slick blocks I always thought were the weak link to the road. Though bigger, the high and low speed maneuverability still felt bicycle accurate. Let us all tip our helmets to the designers on that one.
Ah, There Is A Difference
So how does the new kid stack up to his forefathers? With so much nostalgia iron on the market, it is nice to see one that fulfills the promise and does not compromise the utility. This is a modern time machine which can be ridden in modern times. It will not require the tinkering devotion that Fonzy applied to his Triumph, and with a 30-inch seat height it will not require the legs of an NBA center. The bars have a more comfortable bend, and the seat is a lot closer to being comfortable. In the “old days” it was not out of the ordinary for a rider to be able to pick up his bike if it fell over. At 451 pounds it might still be possible, even for those of us who would rather ride than body build.
Perfection?
The “new” Bonneville’s are not perfect motorcycles, they are modern versions of the landmark motorcycles born of the days when we talked of Great Brittan rather than the United Kingdom. While the seat is comfortable enough for light duty touring, it still feels harder than Hunter H. Thompson’s liver after an hour or so. Strong, gusty side winds can be problematic, and that light steering feel can put a rider in more trouble than the suspension can handle – you can think Isle of Man, just do not believe you are on a factory prepared racer!
Prices
The 2002 MSRP was $6,999, and considering that prime examples are selling for around $3,000, the new Bonnie’ makes fulfilling those nostalgia desires within a lot more budgets than the first time around.
You Can Go Home Again
Maybe you can go home again, and this time have the modern conveniences you have grown accustomed to. For once, the remake is better than the original. The ultimate nostalgia motorcycle, the serious electrical and design problems of the originals have been rectified for the modern day rider. Heads will turn wherever you ride this bike. So with all it has going for it, all I can say is life can be unbelievably good!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): Test Ride
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2002
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